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How long were you on crutches after ankle ligament reconstruction surgery?

Posted , 5 users are following.

Nicole1219
Nicole1219

I had ankle ligament reconstruction surgery and a cyst removed on Jan 5th, 2017. I was in a soft cast for 11 days and then had stitches removed and was put in a boot. I was told I could start weight bearing with crutches at 11 days! I was in too much pain and waited another week before I started. I am now at 7 weeks post op and still on crutches! When I try to walk with one crutch my ankle swells up soooo bad. My surgeon said it will be okay and that at 8 weeks I need to start physical therapy.

I'm just curious about anyone else who had the same surgery and how long it took til you didn't need crutches anymore? I'm getting frustrated with my recovery and not being able to walk without crutches and my pain and swelling.

Thanks in advance!

0 likes, 9 replies

9 Replies

  • LilJohnson
    LilJohnson Nicole1219

    Posted

    Wow!

    Had my surgery done January 16th. I was in a soft cast for about 9 days then in a fiberglass cast for 4 1/2 weeks (all NWB), and THEN put in the boot, WB.

    I just started PT on Monday, got my cast off last Friday.

    • Nicole1219
      Nicole1219 LilJohnson

      Posted

      Are you able to walk without crutches now? Also what kind of things does physical therapy have you doing?
    • LilJohnson
      LilJohnson Nicole1219

      Posted

      Yeah. I walked out of the doctor's office with just the boot, and walk around my house (really small apartment lol) without the boot! No pain.

      PT mostly just has me doing things like sitting and doing heel raises, circles and hip strengthening. I've only been twice so far.

  • Rusty_trux
    Rusty_trux Nicole1219

    Posted

    Hi, I had the operation over two years ago. It has been a slow and sometimes painful recovery . I would advise you to have ankle support on all the time . The strength does return but you have to be patient.

     I had another operation to remove the stitches  from the first procedure. I am hoping to be back to normal within 6 weeks.

    I want to run again?

    Take care.

    • LilJohnson
      LilJohnson Rusty_trux

      Posted

      You should be able to run again. I had an ankle ligament reconstruction surgery when I was in high school, and while it took about a year, I was able to run again after. And this time around my doctor told me I should be able to run in a matter of months.
    • Rusty_trux
      Rusty_trux LilJohnson

      Posted

      That's encouraging. I was a keen jogger . it would be good to get back to a couple of runs a week .

    • LilJohnson
      LilJohnson Rusty_trux

      Posted

      I understand. I liked to take 2-3 mile runs a few times a week as well.
  • GreenOlive
    GreenOlive Nicole1219

    Posted

    Nicole,

    I have been advising everyone to walk in the pool. It sounds crazy, but you will be amazed how helpful it is.

    I have been walking in the pool for three past weeks. I do an hour daily. I have started with chest high water level and progressed to waist high water level. I mostly walk on my tippy toes per my PT instructions. I take ibuprofen twice a day and ice my ankle nightly. I am a recreational swimmer and could tell you that swimming does not help with recovery as much as just walking in the water. I am almost 10 weeks post ORIF surgery (trimalleolar ankle fracture) and walk without crutches or walking stick. I walk about 8000 – 10000 steps per day (per my pedometer watch). Most of my steps are walked in the pool.

  • rockin1shoe
    rockin1shoe Nicole1219

    Posted

    My daughter had ankle ligament surgery a week before I had ligament surgery plus an additional far more complex surgery including many of my bones and a fusion.  In her case she was non weight bearing for 6 weeks at which time she began to walk at 50 % weight with the assistance of crutches.  She did that for about a week then went to the walking boot alone for another week or 2. 

    In my case I was non weight bearing for 8 weeks and then walked at 50% weight bearing with critches to week 10.  For the next 2 weeks I transitioned to walking with the boot and last week at week 12 I graduated to sneakers and a brace.  It is extremely hard for me to walk without a limp and pain and I am doing therapy and lots of home exercises on the days in between.  

    It seems very early that your doctor had you start walking with crutches. I noticed improvements after starting my therapy at week 8 and every week I could do a bit more. My therapist has an anti gravity treadmill and that helps me immensely.  

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